Drain Screen

ABSTRACT

A drain screen for capturing debris in a fluid in a drain. Said drain screen comprising a faceplate, a center axis, and a one or more beams. Said faceplate comprising a one or more aperture-catch arrangements, said center axis, an edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Said drain screen comprises a radially outward direction and a radially inward direction. Said drain screen configured to allow a fluid to move over said faceplate from said radially outward direction toward said radially inward direction. Said radially inward direction is defined as a direction across said faceplate toward said center axis. Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements comprise a one or more apertures and a plurality of raised portions. Said plurality of raised portions are arranged said radially outward direction of said one or more apertures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to U.S. Patent Application No.62/404,867 filed on Oct. 6, 2016.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT (IFAPPLICABLE)

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX (IF APPLICABLE)

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typical construction of a shower-type drain assembly implements a metalsieve or “screen” that allows a human to walk on the floor whileallowing prescribed amounts to water to drain through the screen, intothe barrel, and orderly exit the assembly into the plumbing system.Generally, by default, manufacturers have adopted the use of stainlessmetal plates with perforations to make it work. In the typicalimplementation, manufacturers have used a metal stock in the range of0.040″ to 0.070″ in thickness. Required plumbing association and codesstandards prescribe a certain level of durability required of thescreen, typically measured by supporting the outer edges of the screenand exerting pressure on the central area, then noting (a. pressurerequired to cause an allowed measurement of deflection of the screen.

Here's the problem: polymers and composites typically do not demonstratethe deflection strengths required to accomplish successful and requiredtesting. Current manufacturing processes use several steps to producethe “chrome screens” (which are actually stainless steels): stamping,edge cleaning (probably vibratory polishing), finish polishing, andplastic-film covering (to protect surface). All such methods involvingthe requirement of stainless steels involving the typical chemistryrequirements of stainless manufacturing.

Production of a composite/polymer screen involves only one step and ismuch more environmentally safe and energy efficient. The goal is tosolidify the filing with simple granted claims as follows: About anyonewishing to make a polymer/polymerized screen will be trapped by thecurrent mechanical standards of the cross section of the existing metalscreens.

In order to get by required certification testing, a simple plastic discof the best materials will not withstand the flexural testing of 75 psiwith 0.125″ allowed deflection. Radial ribs (beams) will typically notsolve the problem as the beams are not radially intersected and willindependently flex without the support of the angularly-adjoining beams.In one embodiment, circular beam sections (“rounded beam section” inthis disclosure), or “spider-webs”, the stresses into a netconfiguration where pressure exerted almost anywhere is transmittedthrough the web.

How, turning to a one or more beams (herein disclosed as a rounded beamsection 210 and a one or more radial beam sections, infra), or webs ofbeams, should be positioned as to allow (a. the material (such as water)to flow at the general center of the webs voids (or apertures) and (b.where the beam is generally positioned centrally between the holes.“running a beam across a hole, decreases the cross-section thusweakening the area.

In order to duplicate what has been disclosed here, one would almosthave to either (a. mold in a superlative fiber (boron, kevlar) or (b.overmold the screen over a metal framework—none of which areeconomically feasible.

None of the known inventions and patents, taken either singularly or incombination, is seen to describe the instant disclosure as claimed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A drain screen for capturing debris in a fluid in a drain. Said drainscreen comprising a faceplate, a center axis, and a one or more beams.Said faceplate comprising a one or more aperture-catch arrangements,said center axis, an edge, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Saiddrain screen comprises a radially outward direction and a radiallyinward direction. Said drain screen configured to allow a fluid to moveover said faceplate from said radially outward direction toward saidradially inward direction. Said radially inward direction is defined asa direction across said faceplate toward said center axis. Said one ormore aperture-catch arrangements comprise a one or more apertures and aplurality of raised portions. Said plurality of raised portions arearranged said radially outward direction of said one or more apertures.Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements are configured to capturedebris in a fluid by catching a portion of a debris on said plurality ofraised portions and allowing a portion of said fluid to flow throughsaid one or more apertures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective front side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective back side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 2A illustrates an elevated top side view of a one or moreaperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 2B illustrates an elevated bottom side view of a one or moreaperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 2C illustrates an elevated front side view of a one or moreaperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective overview view of a drain screen 100 incross-section.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective bottom side view of a drain screen 100in cross-section.

FIG. 3C illustrates an elevated front side view of a drain screen 100 incross-section.

FIG. 4A illustrates an elevated bottom side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 4B illustrates an elevated first side view of a drain screen 100 incross-section in detail.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective bottom side view of a one or more beams106.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective overview view of a firstaperture-catch arrangement 108 a.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective overview view of a firstaperture-catch arrangement 108 a.

FIG. 7A illustrates an elevated top side view of a triangular shape 702.

FIG. 7B illustrates an elevated top side view of a heart shape 704.

FIG. 7C illustrates an elevated top side view of a fish shape 706.

FIG. 7D illustrates an elevated top side view of a cross shape 708.

FIG. 8 illustrates view of a method of use 800.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention as claimed and is provided in thecontext of the particular examples discussed below, variations of whichwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. In the interest ofclarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described inthis specification. It will be appreciated that in the development ofany such actual implementation (as in any development project), designdecisions must be made to achieve the designers' specific goals (e.g.,compliance with system- and business-related constraints), and thatthese goals will vary from one implementation to another. It will alsobe appreciated that such development effort might be complex andtime-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking forthose of ordinary skill in the field of the appropriate art having thebenefit of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claims appended hereto arenot intended to be limited by the disclosed embodiments, but are to beaccorded their widest scope consistent with the principles and featuresdisclosed herein.

These parts are illustrated in the figures and discussed below:

a drain screen 100

a top surface 102

a bottom surface 104

a one or more beams 106

a first beam 106 a

a one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108

a first aperture-catch arrangement 108 a

a second aperture-catch arrangement 108 b

a faceplate 110

a one or more apertures 202

a first aperture 202 a

a second aperture 202 b

a one or more fastener sockets 204

a first fastener socket 204 a

a second fastener socket 204 b

a plurality of raised portions 206

a first plurality of raised portions 206 a

a second plurality of raised portions 206 b

a rounded beam section 210

a one or more radial beams 212

a first radial beam 212 a

a second radial beam 212 b

a third radial beam 212 c

a fourth radial beam 212 d

a fifth radial beam 212 e

a sixth radial beam 212 f

a center axis 214

a radially outward direction 216

a radially inward direction 218

an edge 220

downward direction 302

an outer rim 402

an inner rim 404

a thickness 406

a thickness 408

a thickness 410

a triangular shape 702

a heart shape 704

a fish shape 706

a cross shape 708

a method of use 800

a first step 802

a second step 804

a third step 806

a fourth step 808

FIG. 1A illustrates a perspective front side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 1B illustrates a perspective back side view of a drain screen 100.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise said top surface102, said bottom surface 104, said bottom surface 104, said one or morebeams 106, said first beam 106 a and said faceplate 110.

In one embodiment, said one or more beams 106 can comprise said firstbeam 106 a.

In one embodiment, said faceplate 110 can comprise said top surface 102,said bottom surface 104 and said one or more aperture-catch arrangements108.

In one embodiment, drain screen 100 can comprise a substantially roundpiece as is known in the art.

FIG. 2A illustrates an elevated top side view of a one or moreaperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 2B illustrates an elevated bottom side view of a one or moreaperture-catch arrangements 108.

FIG. 2C illustrates an elevated front side view of a one or moreaperture-catch arrangements 108.

In one embodiment, said one or more fastener sockets 204 can comprisesaid first fastener socket 204 a and said second fastener socket 204 b.

In one embodiment, said plurality of raised portions 206 can comprisesaid first plurality of raised portions 206 a and said second pluralityof raised portions 206 b.

In one embodiment, said one or more apertures 202 can comprise saidfirst aperture 202 a and said second aperture 202 b.

In one embodiment, said one or more radial beams 212 can comprise saidfirst radial beam 212 a, said second radial beam 212 b, said thirdradial beam 212 c, said fourth radial beam 212 d, said fifth radial beam212 e and said sixth radial beam 212 f.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise said one or morefastener sockets 204, said center axis 214, said radially outwarddirection 216, said radially inward direction 218 and said edge 220.

In one embodiment, said one or more beams 106 can comprise said roundedbeam section 210, said rounded beam section 210 and said one or moreradial beams 212.

In one embodiment, said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 cancomprise said one or more apertures 202 and said plurality of raisedportions 206.

In one embodiment, said first aperture-catch arrangement 108 a cancomprise said first aperture 202 a and said first plurality of raisedportions 206 a.

In one embodiment, said second aperture-catch arrangement 108 b cancomprise said second aperture 202 b and said second plurality of raisedportions 206 b.

Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 can comprise one ormore apertures 202 which can comprise an attractive collection ofpatterns, as discussed below.

In one embodiment, said rounded beam section 210 can comprise acircular, elliptical or otherwise polygon beam section surrounding aportion of said one or more radial beam sections.

In one embodiment, said one or more radial beams can extend from saidcenter axis 214 toward said rounded beam section 210 and/or edge 220. Inone embodiment, said edge 220 can sit on a pipe under said drain screen100. In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can have specificregulations and codes that require different weight thresholdcapacities. Said regulations and codes are well known by those trainedin the art.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise a hydroscopicmaterial such as polymer. In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 canbe designed to absorb pressure. In one embodiment, the known embodimentsof drain screen are made of metal due since they must be able towithstand high weight capacities. Industry has been slow to move toplastics since they fail to have sufficient strength for drain screens;however, the combination of said one or more beams and the disclosedmaterials herein have overcome this shortcoming.

In one embodiment, a portion of a debris will be caught on saidplurality of raised portions 206 and a portion will wash down said oneor more apertures 202.

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective overview view of a drain screen 100 incross-section.

FIG. 3B illustrates a perspective bottom side view of a drain screen 100in cross-section.

FIG. 3C illustrates an elevated front side view of a drain screen 100 incross-section.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise said downwarddirection 302.

FIG. 4A illustrates an elevated bottom side view of a drain screen 100.

FIG. 4B illustrates an elevated first side view of a drain screen 100 incross-section in detail.

In one embodiment, said outer rim 402 can comprise said thickness 406.

In one embodiment, said inner rim 404 can comprise said thickness 408.

In one embodiment, said drain screen 100 can comprise said outer rim 402and said inner rim 404.

In one embodiment, said one or more beams 106 can comprise saidthickness 410.

In one embodiment, said outer rim 402 can comprise a portion of saiddrain screen 100 nearest to said edge 220. In one embodiment, said innerrim 404 can comprise a portion of said drain screen 100 nearer to saidcenter axis 214 than said outer rim 402. In one embodiment, saidthickness 408 of said inner rim 404 can be greater than said thickness406 of said outer rim 402. Thus, in one embodiment said drain screen 100can grow thicker to thinner as from said center axis 214 progressingtoward said edge 220.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective bottom side view of a one or more beams106.

In one embodiment, the disclosed configuration of said drain screen 100with said one or more beams and disclosed materials has established thatsaid drain screen 100 can withstand many times its required withthreshold. In one embodiment, arranging said one or more beams withbeams in a triangular configuration (radial beams extending from saidcenter axis 214 to form triangle sides, as illustrated) being partiallysurrounded by said rounded beam section 210 can provide ample strengthfor the tasks required for drain screens. This configuration canovercome shortcomings in plastics which would otherwise flex outward andbecome unusable for the tasks common for drain screens.

FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective overview view of a firstaperture-catch arrangement 108 a.

FIG. 6B illustrates a perspective overview view of a firstaperture-catch arrangement 108 a.

Said plurality of raised portions 206 can act as a hair trap.

In one embodiment, said plurality of raised portions 206 can comprise araised engraving above said top surface 102 of said drain screen 100. Inone embodiment, said plurality of raised portions 206 can catch hair andother non-liquid materials (such as biological material) as liquid isdown said one or more apertures. In one embodiment, said one or moreapertures 202 can comprise singular holes and/or intersecting holes in apattern of shapes. As illustrated above, said plurality of raisedportions 206 with said one or more apertures comprise the shape of afoot and five toes.

FIG. 7A illustrates an elevated top side view of a triangular shape 702.

FIG. 7B illustrates an elevated top side view of a heart shape 704.

FIG. 7C illustrates an elevated top side view of a fish shape 706.

FIG. 7D illustrates an elevated top side view of a cross shape 708.

In one embodiment, said one or more apertures 202 can comprise saidtriangular shape 702, said heart shape 704, said fish shape 706 and saidcross shape 708.

one or more apertures 202 can comprise a plurality of differentpatterns. For example, in one embodiment, one or more apertures 202 cancomprise advertising logos and messages. In one embodiment, saidpatterns can be matched with a set of said plurality of raised portions206.

FIG. 8 illustrates view of a method of use 800

The following sentences are included for completeness of this disclosurewith reference to the claims. They can be interpreted as an preferredembodiment of the invention.

A drain screen 100 for capturing debris in a fluid in a drain. Saiddrain screen 100 comprising a faceplate 110, a center axis 214, and aone or more beams 106. Said faceplate 110 comprising a one or moreaperture-catch arrangements 108, said center axis 214, an edge 220, atop surface 102, and a bottom surface 104. Said drain screen 100comprises a radially outward direction 216 and a radially inwarddirection 218. Said drain screen 100 configured to allow a fluid to moveover said faceplate 110 from said radially outward direction 216 towardsaid radially inward direction 218. Said radially inward direction 218is defined as a direction across said faceplate 110 toward said centeraxis 214. Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 comprise aone or more apertures 202 and a plurality of raised portions 206. Saidplurality of raised portions 206 are arranged said radially outwarddirection 216 of said one or more apertures 202. Said one or moreaperture-catch arrangements 108 are configured to capture debris in afluid by catching a portion of a debris on said plurality of raisedportions 206 and allowing a portion of said fluid to flow through saidone or more apertures 202.

Said plurality of raised portions 206 are raised from said top surface102 of said faceplate 110 to a general difference in planar elevationsin the range of 0.2 mm to approximately 1 mm.

Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 comprise formed torepresent a known graphic.

Said known graphic are used for having indicia of production company,trade names, usage instructions or other notation deemed desirable.

Said debris comprise a one or more fibers, such as hair, to becomefolded around a portion of said plurality of raised portions 206 as saidfluid moves toward said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108.Said one or more fibers become mechanically captured by said foldingaround said plurality of raised portions 206.

Said one or more aperture-catch arrangements 108 allow the passing ofliquids which comprises water.

Said bottom surface 104 of said faceplate 110 comprising said one ormore beams 106.

Said one or more beams 106 are molded into said faceplate 110.

Said one or more beams 106 comprise a one or more radial beams 212arranged in a radial pattern out from said center axis 214 of saidfaceplate 110.

Said one or more beams 106 comprise said one or more radial beams 212and a rounded beam section 210. Said one or more radial beams 212 andsaid rounded beam section 210 comprise a one or more triangular sectionsbetween one another.

A portion of said one or more radial beams 212 are bounded by a roundedbeam section 210.

Said one or more radial beams 212 increase a structural support of an anouter rim 402 of said faceplate 110.

Said faceplate 110 is configured in a geometric form designed fit intomany existing drain barrels.

Said faceplate 110 comprising a polymer.

Said faceplate 110 comprising such material has a natural property ofcapturing (absorbing) water and other possible water-carried orwater-soluble materials.

Said faceplate 110 uses a polymer, composite, or similar materials nothaving the general rigidity of plated steels in said application. Theadvantage for situations where the use of a thicker cross-section maynot be used per standards or existing implementation of metal screens.

Various changes in the details of the illustrated operational methodsare possible without departing from the scope of the following claims.Some embodiments may combine the activities described herein as beingseparate steps. Similarly, one or more of the described steps may beomitted, depending upon the specific operational environment the methodis being implemented in. It is to be understood that the abovedescription is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Forexample, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination witheach other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill inthe art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the inventionshould, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which”are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.”

1. A drain screen for capturing debris in a fluid in a drain, wherein:said drain screen comprising a faceplate, a center axis, and a one ormore beams; said faceplate comprising a one or more aperture-catcharrangements, said center axis, an edge, a top surface, and a bottomsurface; said drain screen comprises a radially outward direction and aradially inward direction; said drain screen configured to allow a fluidto move over said faceplate from said radially outward direction towardsaid radially inward direction; said radially inward direction isdefined as a direction across said faceplate toward said center axis;said one or more aperture-catch arrangements comprise a one or moreapertures and a plurality of raised portions; said plurality of raisedportions are arranged said radially outward direction of said one ormore apertures; and said one or more aperture-catch arrangements areconfigured to capture debris in a fluid by catching a portion of adebris on said plurality of raised portions and allowing a portion ofsaid fluid to flow through said one or more apertures.
 2. The drainscreen from claim 1, wherein: said plurality of raised portions areraised from said top surface of said faceplate to a general differencein planar elevations in the range of 0.2 mm to approximately 1 mm. 3.The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said one or more aperture-catcharrangements comprise formed to represent a known graphic.
 4. The drainscreen from claim 3, wherein: said known graphic are used for havingindicia of production company, trade names, usage instructions or othernotation deemed desirable.
 5. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein:said debris comprise a one or more fibers, such as hair, to becomefolded around a portion of said plurality of raised portions as saidfluid moves toward said one or more aperture-catch arrangements; andsaid one or more fibers become mechanically captured by said foldingaround said plurality of raised portions.
 6. The drain screen from claim1, wherein: said one or more aperture-catch arrangements allow thepassing of liquids which comprises water.
 7. The drain screen from claim1, wherein: said bottom surface of said faceplate comprising said one ormore beams; and said one or more beams are molded into said faceplate.8. The drain screen from claim 7, wherein: said one or more beamscomprise a one or more radial beams arranged in a radial pattern outfrom said center axis of said faceplate.
 9. The drain screen from claim8, wherein: said one or more beams comprise said one or more radialbeams and a rounded beam section; and said one or more radial beams andsaid rounded beam section comprise a one or more triangular sectionsbetween one another.
 10. The drain screen from claim 8, wherein: aportion of said one or more radial beams are bounded by a rounded beamsection.
 11. The drain screen from claim 8, wherein: said one or moreradial beams increase a structural support of an an outer rim of saidfaceplate.
 12. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said faceplate isconfigured in a geometric form designed fit into many existing drainbarrels.
 13. The drain screen from claim 1, wherein: said faceplatecomprising a polymer.
 14. The drain screen from claim 13, wherein: saidfaceplate comprising such material has a natural property of capturing(absorbing) water and other possible water-carried or water-solublematerials.
 15. The drain screen from claim 13, wherein: said faceplateuses a polymer, composite, or similar materials not having the generalrigidity of plated steels in said application; and the advantage forsituations where the use of a thicker cross-section may not be used perstandards or existing implementation of metal screens.